Patrick Bamford's hat-trick in Leeds United's 3-0 win over Aston Villa has Ireland fans excited about a potential declaration.
English-born Bamford spoke to Mick McCarthy in 2019 about potentially declaring for the Republic and his hot start to the Premier League season has some fans hoping he will don the green jersey.
Ireland supporters took to Twitter to express their hopes that the 27-year-old striker will declare for Stephen Kenny's goal-shy side.
One tweeted: "Announce Bamford for Ireland #coybig."
While another hopeful tweeted said: "Ireland's Paddy Bamford with a hat-trick tonight."
Another fan demanded: "Stephen Kenny has to get onto Bamford for the next Ireland squad."
While another said: "Didn’t see this result coming. Leeds been excellent. Ireland should try again for Bamford. Exactly what they need."
A year ago, Bamford said: “Some of the stuff that gets written in the press is a load of rubbish.
“I said to Mick ‘look I had a bad injury last year and I want to concentrate on the season with Leeds’
"I’m not saying no, I’m just concentrating on Leeds. I haven’t closed any doors, I’ve not said yes, I’ve not said no.”
Kenny won't rush into a decision and recently said: “I can’t discuss an individual who I’ve never spoken to.
“It wouldn’t be fair to be speaking about an individual and what I’d expect of them when I’ve never spoken to them.
“I wouldn’t entirely know how they feel about their national identity, so I don’t think it’s realistic for me to have an open discussion about a person like that.”
